Jesse Wesley Williams is an American actor best known for his role in the Grey’s Anatomy television series. He has also appeared in an episode of Law & Order and had a recurring role in the series Beyond the Break. Take a look below for 20 more awesome and interesting facts about Jesse Williams.

1. He was born to parents Reginald and Johanna on August 5, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois.

2. He has two younger brothers.

3. Williams attended Moses Brown School in Rhode Island followed by Temple University in Pennsylvania.

4. He graduated with a double major in African American Studies and Film & Media Arts.

5. Williams taught high school students for six years prior to his acting career.

6. His television debut was in a 2006 episode of Law & Order.

7. He held the recurring role as Eric Medina in eight episodes of the series Beyond the Break.

8. Williams made his film debut in the 2008 romance drama, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.

9. He followed up with a small role as Eddie Quinlain in the 2009 crime film, Brooklyn’s Finest, with Richard Gere and Don Cheadle.

10. He played the love interest in Rihanna‘s 2009 music video for the single “Russian Roulette.”

11. In 2009, Williams was cast as Dr. Jackson Avery in the ABC medical drama series, Grey’s Anatomy.

12. He made recurring appearances in season six and was later added to the main cast starting with season 7.

13. The role of Jackson Avery was reprised in the 210 spin-off web series, Seattle Grace: Message of Hope.

14. Williams held a prominent role as Holden McCrea in the 2012 horror comedy, The Cabin in the Woods.

15. He appeared in Lee Daniels’ historical drama, The Butler, alongside Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey.

16. Williams is a civil rights activist and member of The Advancement Project’s board of director.

17. He was married to Aryn Drake-Lee from 2012 until 2017.

18. He and Aryn have a daughter named Sadie and a son named Maceo.

19. He then went on to briefly date Taylor Rooks.

20. In 2019, he began dating Taylour Paige.